Doug Taylor

Elizabeth Shepherd TrioStart to Move(Do Right Music)Behold an artist for whom jazz need neither broaden its domain nor sit in a museum. Toronto-based Shepherd was raised by Salvation Army ministers: There are no band hymns here, but she gives a shout-out at the end. Her debut album presents a composer, pianist and singer fully realized. […]

Mr. Something SomethingMr. Something Something(World)Mr. Something Something aims to light up every floor with shaking hips and feet of fire, once the brains have been jabbed with a minute or two of exotic stew. Such fluid Afrobeat enters the body stealthily, well before one can note that these are five white guys from Ontario. The […]

The Winnerysand…The Winnerys(Rainbow Quartz)Moments on the Winnerys’ first full-length rekindle the excitement of early Beatles like noth- ing since the Knickerbockers or the Rutles. The quartet from Barcelona serves up 16 songs that burst with the taut energy, Mersey chords and limited subject matter (girls, love) of 1964’s Fab Four. The vocals, however, come up […]

Anthony HamiltonAin’t Nobody Worryin’(Arista)The Carolina-born, New York-based Hamilton carves out unique territory, by shunning hip-hop devices, not trying to sound like Stevie Wonder and keeping his shirt on. Gospel is in his blood and colours his themes and harmonies. “The Truth” and “Preacher’s Daughter” put the passion back in compassion, as Hamilton shows how earthy […]

Final FantasyHe Poos Clouds(BlocksBlocksBlocks)Violinist, Arcade Fire arranger and Dungeons and Dragons fan Owen Pallett creates a concept album full of puns, poetry and pirouettes. It’s a cerebral pop treat on a scale with Sufjan Stevens’ Illinoise. He Poos Clouds arrived with the smack of novelty and endures as insurgent classical punChuck Teeduated by inseChuck Teed […]

Hayseed DixieWeapons of Grass Destruction(Cooking Vinyl)songs can be a treat, especially if chosen well and performed as if born for banjo and mandolin. Hayseed Dixie makes some curious selections (“Strawberry Fields Forever,” “Holidays in the Sun”) and some terrific ones. “Devil Woman,” a forgotten Cliff Richard hit from 1976, has new life breathed into it. […]

VailhalenPop ViolenceSaved by RadioThe seven members of Vailhalen had free reign over a high school band room and instruments for its first full-length. The results are rawly monochromatic. Being neither a dog’s breakfast nor a symphony, Pop Violence has an early-’80s ramshackle jumpiness not unlike XTC or War-vintage U2. Two keyboards enrich the flow and […]

Tommy StinsonVillage Gorilla Head(Sanctuary)Fourteen-year-old lad finds himself a founding member in hugely influential band (the Replacements). Years later, he’s bassist in a late version of a troubled franchise (Guns N’ Roses). Stinson’s first solo effort leaps free of any scent of post-punk, metal or genre-splicing, with rock songs worthy of the Stones or the Clash. […]

Candi StatonHis Hands(EMI)Appreciation for Candi spiked recently with the reissue of her ’70s country soul sides. A bout with alcohol and spousal abuse drove her to gospel and ministry. On her first secular recording in 20 years, the 63-year-old Staton’s voice conveys pain and devotion as clearly as ever. By avoiding extremes of tone, she […]

James MorrisonUndiscovered(Polydor)The young Brit comes by his rasp honestly. A childhood bout of whooping cough left him with special powers to convey longing. A first encounter might leave you saying, “Wow, Terence Trent D’arby must have been listening to a lot of ’70s Stevie Wonder, and learning.” Morrison gives urgency to what are mostly love […]

Lennie GallantWhen We Get There(Maple)The wait for a new English studio album by Lennie Gallant ends sweetly for all concerned. His rugged Acadian ramble has polished some edges in an effort to reach ears beyond Atlantic Canada. Boats and fiddles are absent, though violins turn up at a key moment. This time, domestic abuse meets […]